Traffic-controlling device



March 3, 1931'. 1 WIGHT TRAFFIC CONTROLLING DEVICE Filed Jui 18. 1928 IIIIIIIIIIJ 5643mm. wr ht Zfmnin Patented Mar. 3, 19 31 unrrsn -srArEs arser OFFICE SEDGWICK n. WIGHT, OF ROCHESTER, NE YoRK, Assronon TO GENERAL'RAILWVAY SIGNAL COMPANY, or ROCHESTER, new YORK App1icati0n filed July 18,

This invention relates to outlying traffic controllingdevices, and more particularly to switch machines controlled from a distant point and means for cutting power off of such switch machine if they do not complete their For this andother reasons the apparatusfor protecting such switch machines against possible damage, due to being stalled by excessive load with the power applied thereto,requires protecting apparatus quite different from thatordinarily used in connection with other types of electrically operated appliancesand devices. In accordance with pres ent railroad practice, it is quite common fora switch located many miles from theoperators tower to be controlled from such tower by energy supplied from a source local to such switchmachiner In such, a case it is quite possible for current to be applied to a switch machine, and, by reason of unforeseen difli culty, such; as: coal or ice between the switch points and running rail, may prevent such switch machine from completing its stroke, thus: keepingtheg, current flowing in the motor circuit of such switch machine. Switch machines are alsousually provided with control circuits and'associated mechanism for permittingthem to be reversed, when stalled in midrstroke. Another feature of operation quite common in connection with switch machines'results from the provision of means for causing a switch machine if onceinitiated into; operation to continue its operation until it has completed its stroke, this in order to prevent the switch machine having its power cut automatically during its operating cycle by a change of traffic conditions.

With the various:v foregoing and: other im portant considerationsin mind, it isproposed in. accordance with the present invention to provide any or all of the above mentioned operating features without conflicting with the provisionof means for automatically out 1928. Serial No. 293,664.

ting current 05 of the switch machine, or other trailic controlling device, if it has not completed its operating stroke within a period of time deemed sufiicient. 7

Other objects, purposes and characteristic features of the present invention will in part be described in the specification hereinafter. and in part be obvious from the accompanyingdrawings,

In describing the invention in detail reference will'be made totheaccompanying drawings in which V l Fig. 1 shows a system of control for switch machines in which'the power is cut off of the switch machine after a fixed interval of time unless it has completed its stroke in the meantime and FiglA shows one of the mercury contain ers on an enlarged scale.

Referringparticularly to Fig. 1 of the drawings the main track ofa railway system has been shown by the rails 1 divided, into sections by insulating joints 2, and a siding having rails3 insulated fromthe main track by insulating joints 4. The point at which the siding joins the main-track by a switch S l is ,provided'with the usual detector track circuit including the usual track battery 5 and the track relayDR, the usual cross bonds 6 and 6 and insulating joints 7 and 7*, being employed.

The track switch Sis operated by a switch vmachine SM' of the usual construction andincluding pole changer coils for operating the contacts thereof upon reversal of the switch machine from an intermediate point in itsstroke. This switch machine is described in detail in the prior patent to Howe No. 1,466,903, dated September 4, 1923, and for this reason need not be described in detail. Sufiice it to'say that if a source of en ergy is connected across the wires N and C the switch machine will operate the switch S to the normal position, and if energy is applied to the wires Band C the switch machine will operate the switch S to the take-siding position evenithoughthe switch machine has assumed, an intermediate position, the switch machine, cutting off, its power upon the completion of the stroke in each case. r

Current may be applied to the wires N and C, or R and C, as above pointed out, by the switch machine controller SMC, this switch machine controller SMC being controlled by a control relay Z, which relay is controlled from alever L located at a distant tower T. This switch machine controller SMC, in the particular embodiment of the invention shown, includes main operating coils NC and RC, auxiliary stick coils NC and RC and neutralizing coils NC and RC Ifthe main operating coil N C, for instance, is energized the contacts 10 and 11 are operated toward the left against the bias of the spring 12, and the crank 13 is operated in a counter-clockwise direction against. the tension or" the spring 12. These contacts 10 and 11 and crank 13 being returned to thenormal position if no longer restrained by magnetism emitted by coil NC or NC The stick coils NC or RC if energized hold the contacts 10 or 11 in their respective circuit closing positions if these contacts have once been moved in such position. The neutralizing coils NC and RC are employed to neutralize and overcome the effect of the stick coils NC and RC respectively, so as to cause the contacts 10 and 11 to return to their normal position.

' The crank 13 through the lost motion connection, resulting from the slot 14 engaging such crank, causes the mercury containers 15 and 16 to be operated each time crank 13 is operated to the opposite extreme position to which it was last previously operated. These mercury containers are used to make and break connections as most readily explained in connection with the operation of the system hereinafter.

Operation Fig. 1.Referring to Fig. 1, and observing that the switch machine as sumes the normal main track position, let us assume that. the operator wishes to operate the switch S to the take siding position. Just as soon hand dotted position the control relay Z is energized to its lefthand dotted position by energy supplied from the battery 20, the battery 21 being employed when it is desired to operate the control relay Z to the right hand position. With the control relay Z energized to the left hand dotted position the main reverse coil RC of the switch machine controller SMC is energized through the following circuit :beginning at the terminal B of'a suitable source of current, preferably a battery, front neutral contact 22 of the control relay Z, wire 23, polar contact 24, wires 25 and 26, winding RC, wires 27 and 28, mercury in the mercury container 16, wires 29 and 30, back to the common return wire C connecting to the other side oi the said source of current. With this circuit complete the contacts 10 and 11 are moved to the right hand position and the crank 13 is moved in clockwise direction to its dotted position,

as the lever L is moved to the left Under this condition of the switch machine controller SMC the stick coil RC is energized through the following circuit :beginning at the terminal B stationary contact .32, movable contact 10, stationary contact 33, wire 34, stick coil RC wires-35, 36, and 28, mercury of the mercury container 16, wires 29 and 30, through common return wire C back to the source of current. With the stick coil RC energized as. just explained, this coil will be able to holdthecontacts' 10 and 11 in the right hand positioneven though the operator in the tower returns his lever L to the neutral position. In other words, the switch machine controller SMC it once initiated remains in its initiated condition until changed by other means. Also, with the contacts 10 and 11 in the right hand position, the contacts 11 bridge the stationary contacts 39 and apply current to the reverse wire R of the switch machine, thereby causing the switch machine SM to be operated to the take-siding position. After an interval of time, sulficient for the switch machine to complete its operating stroke, the mercury will have passed through a small orifice 40 in the partition 40 ofthe container 16 to an extent to break the circuit between wires 28 and 29. This partition 40' is also provided with a small opening 40 which aii'ords the flow of air or suitable inert gas contained in the tube 16. This will stop the flow of current through both the main coil RC and the stick coil RC thus allowing the contacts 10 and 11 and thecrank 13 to return to the neutral biased position. By reason of the lost motion aitorded by the slot 14 the mercury containers 15 and 16 will not be tilted by this return of the crank 13 to its normal position.

If the operator should have desired to reverse the switch machine controller SMC before this interval of time had elapsed he could have done so, because sufiicient mercury would have passed through the orifice 11 of partition 41 of mercury container 15 to bridge the wires 42 and 4.3 after avery short interval of time. These mercury containers 15 and 16 are shown on an enlarged scale in Fig. 1A. In this case the control relay Z would of course be energized to the right hand position, in which event current will flow through the coil N C and also through the coil RC through the following two circuits: (1) B, 22, 23, 24, 14, 4:5, NC, 46, 42, mercury of 15, 43, and 30, and (2) B, 22, 23, 24, 44, 47, R0 48, .36, 2s, mercury of 16, 29, and 30. Vith these circuits completed the flow of current in the coil NC would tend to operate the contacts 10 and 11 toward the left but the flow of current in the stick coil RC would prevent such operation, the flow of current in the neutralizing coil RC however, will neutralize the effect of the current flowing in this stick coil RC these coils RC and RC having their turns arrangedopp-ositely, so that there will be no tendency to hold the contacts 10 and 11 tolot the left hand position current may flow through contacts 11-5O to the wire N and through the normal circuit of the switch ma chine, thus causing the switch machine to be" operatedto thev main track position. It is deemed unnecessary to explain how the switch 7 machine 1s operated to the reverse take-siding position under other conditions, such for instanceas when the switch has been stalled in an intermediate position, it being understood 15. that the entire apparatus is symmetrical and what has been said about operating the switch machine in one direction applies equally as well for operation of the. switch machine in the opposite direction.

Although applicant has shown a rather specific formof apparatus for accomplishing a particular result constituting one example of apparatus embodying the present invention, it should be understood that many other forms embodying thesame invention are read ily perceived from the descriptionof the em bodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 1.

It is desired to be, understood that even though no a'pproach'locking arrangement has been specifically shown in connection with the particular system illustrated, that such approach locking features are ordinarily employed and in many cases are necessary to protect traffic, and that the approach locking arrangement shown in my prior application may be applied to the present system, if desired.

Having thus shown and described two distinct forms of the present invention, it is desired tobe'understood that the particular systems illustrated have been selected to dis close the nature of the invention rather than its scope or the precise construction preferably employed in carrying out the same; and it isfurther desired to be understood that various changes, modifications and additions may be made within the scope of the present invention to adapt the invention to the particular system to which it is to be applied, all without departing from the spirit or scope of invention or the idea of means underlying the same, except as demanded by the scope of the following claims.

hat I claim is 1. A system of remote control for switch machines of railroads comprising, a power .operated switch machine, stick electro-responsive means for controlling said switch machine which if once energized remains in its energized condition until specially restored, a control relay for energizing said stick means, and a neutralizing winding associated with said stick means which winding-it energized will restore said means to normal.

2. system (if-remote control for switch machines oi"? railroads comprising, a power operated switch machine, a three position stick electro-res'ponsiv'e means biased to. a neutral position for controlling said switch machine, means for operating-said means to either of its energized positions, a holdingcoil connected'ina stick circuit closed when said stick means assumes one extreme position, another holding coil connected in another stick circuit closed when said means assumes the other extreme position, and a neutralizing winding for each of said holding coils for neutralizing the efiect of such hold: ing coil for returning said stick means to its neutral position.

'8, A'system of machines of railroads comprising, a power operated switch machine, a three position stick electro-responsive means biased to a neutral position for controlling said switch machine, two operating coils for operating said remote control for switch means to one or the other of its energized positions, a holding coil connected in a stick circuit closedwhen said stick means assumes one extreme position, another holding coil connected inanother stick circuit closed when said means assumes the other extreme position, and a neutralizing winding for eachof said holding coils for neutralizing the eiiect oi such holding coil for returning said stick means to its neutral position;

a. A systemfof remote control for switch machines of; railroads comprising, a power operated switch machine, a three position stick electro-responsive means biased ma neutral positiontor controlling said switch machine, two operating coils for operating said means to one or the'other or" its energized position, a holding coil'connected in a' stick circuit closed when said stick means assumes one extreme position, another holding coil connected in another stick circuit closed when said means 1 assumes the other extreme position, and" a neutralizing winding for each of said holding coils for-neutralizing the effect of such holding coil for returning said stickmeans toits neutral position, said'holding and neutralizing coils when energized being unable to actuate said stick means from its neutral position. v v

5, A system of remote control for switch machines of railroads comprising, a power operated switch machine, stick electro-responsivemeans for controlling said switch machine which if once energized remains in its energized conditionuntil specially restored, a control relayfor energizing said stick means, and' 'other means for de-energizing said stick means after a predetermined period of time. c

G. A system of} remote control for switch mz'ichines 0t railroads comprising, a power operated switch machine, a' three. position stick elcct-ro responsi've. meansgbiased toa neutral position for controlling said switch said stick means assumes one extreme position, another holding coil connected in another stick circuit closed when said means ass sumes the other extreme position, and other means for de-energizing said stick means after a predetermined period of time.

7. A system of remote control for switch machines of railroads comprising, a power operated switch machine, a three position stick electro-responsive means biased to a neutral position for controlling said switch machine, means for operating said means to either of its energized positions, a holding coil connected in a stick circuit closed when said stick means assumes one-extreme position, another holding coil connected in another stick circuit closed when said means assumes the other extreme position, and means for opening the circuit including such holding coil and the corresponding holding coil such holding coil was electrically energized.

'8. A system of remote control for switch machines of railroads comprising, a power operated switch machine, a three position stick electro-responsive means biased to a neutral position for controlling said switch machine, means for operating said means to either or" its energized positions, a holding coil connected in astick circuit closed when said stick means assumes one extreme position, another holding coil connected in another stick circuit closed when said means assumes the other extreme position, and means for breaking the circuit of the operat- Eng coil and the corresponding holding coil apredetermined period of time after said stick means assumed the corresponding positioiz.

9. A system of remote control for switch machines for railroads comprising, a switch machine, a control relay biased to its inactive position for controlling when active said switch machine, a mercury contact controlled by said'control relay and opened a predetermined period of time after energization of said control relay, and a circuit for energizsaid control relay including said mercury contact, whereby said control relay can be energized for a predetermined period of time only.

10. A system of remote control for switch machines for railroads comprising a switch machine, a control relay for controlling said switch machine and biased to its inactive position and having a circuit for energizing it to its normal position and having another circuit for energizing it to its reverse position, a mercury contact included in the normal circuit for said control relay and closed only upon operation of said control relay to the reverse position and maintained closed only for a predetermined period of time after operation of said control relay to the normal position, and a mercury contact in said reverse circuit closed only upon operation of said control relay to the normal position and maintained closed for a predetermined period of time only after operation of said control relay to the reverse position, whereby said control relay can be energized to its normal position or to its reverse position for a predetermined period of time only.

11. A system of remote control for switch machines for railroads comprising, a switch machine, a control relay biased to its inactive position for controlling when active said switch machine, a mercury contact controlled by said control relay and opened a predetermined period of time after energization of said control relay, a pick-up circuit for energizing'said control relay including said mercury contact, a stick circuit for said control relay including said mercury contact whereby said control relay can be energized by a momentary closure of its pick-up circuit and be maintained energized for a predetermined period of time only.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

SEDGWICK N. \VIGHT. 

